We want to help you help keep your child safe.

Do you know the laws on e-scooters? Children, naturally enough, are unsure about some of the laws. And, while we just taught them some of it at assembly today, we’d like to share some key points with you, so you can tell your child if you ever need to.

Here are some questions: The answers are below the questions. 

  1. What age must you be to drive an e-scooter? 15, 16, or 18? (It’s news for some children that there is any limit.)
  2. What is the speed limit for e-scooters? 20, 25, or 30 kilometres per hour?
  3. Does a scooter have to have lights (a) all the time (b) only when it’s dark, or (c) they don’t HAVE to?
  4. Must a driver obey signals given by a Garda? Yes, no, or sometimes?
  5. Must a driver obey signals given by a school teacher? Yes, no, or sometimes?
  6. Must a driver obey signals given by a school warden (Lollipop Lady/Lollipop Man/Lollipop Person)? Yes, no, or sometimes?
  7. When can a driver use a footpath (or pedestrian area)? Always, sometimes, or never?
  8. Some e-scooters have seats: when can a driver sit while on one? The whole journey, when stopped at lights or wherever, or not at all?
  9. Passengers: Different people have different ideas on this, but what’s the law? You can carry just a child, you can carry an adult but not a child, or you can’t carry anyone?
  10. Mobile phones: You can hold one but not use it, or you can hold and use it when it’s safe to do so, or you can not hold or use one.

Here are the answers: 

  1. You have to be at least 16 to drive an e-scooter.
  2. The speed limit is just 20km/hour.
  3. A scooter has to have lights all the time.
  4. Yes, a driver must obey signals given by a Garda.
  5. No, a driver doesn’t have to obey signals given by a school teacher.
  6. Yes, a driver must obey signals given by a school warden (Lollipop Lady/Man/Person)
  7. A driver can NEVER use a footpath or pedestrian area.
  8. E-scooter drivers must not have a seat on their e-scooter: to have one is against the law. And so, the answer is you can’t sit on one at all.
  9. You can’t carry anyone.
  10. You can not hold or use a mobile phone.

Clondalkin Garda Station asked us to highlight the above you. Clearly, e-scooters should not be used to bring children to and from school. If someone 16 or over gives a lift to a child, the risk to the child of a significant injury is huge.

Thanks for reading all this. More on all this is on the special e-scooter page on the RSA website.